Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-11-03


die slung over his shoulder after the
manner Of dramatic sailor about leav-
ing home for a sea-voyage.
Come out here. Tad" whispered
Joe; and, too much astonisbcd to speak,
Tad followed his friend out on the
moonlt piazza.
IL come to say good-byc-Tm going
to run away" said Joe, in a voice in.
tended To be very firm and brave, but
which had suspicious shake in It, a.
he involantarily glanced back at the
farmhouse little further down the
street bathcd in the soft splendors OF
the moonbcams.
"Going TO run awayr repeated Tad
in tones Of the utmost astonishment
"What forP"
"Well," was the reluctant answer
"therc are good many reasons. Tn
tired of being thrashed so much, fol
one thing" said Joe. squirming around
rather uneasily. as though i've found
sitting on the edge of the piazza un.
comfortable, "and I'm tired Of farm
work. too. Besides" he added, boldly,
II want TO be detective Mr.. Bio,
som said he'd bet I'd make real smart
one"
"'Thcn, bine-bye. you'H be goin' OF, -
continued Joe, mournfully, rs Tad
stared at his friend in CONSERVATION too
deep for words. "and you're the only
fellow / ever cared any thing for, any
way"
'No. indeed, | won'tr' eagerly cx-
claimed Tad; I'm going to stay here
and grow up-Miss Smiths my own
Aunt Rhody, that | never saw-wt
only found II out by accident" Anu
Tad related all. with which our reader
is familiar, to Joe's open-mouthed
amuzcmcnt.
Joe" said Tad, gently, ''what dc
YOU s'pose your mother would do with
out her boy9"
That was touching tender spot
Joe loved y mother better than any
thing or anybody in the wide world
aud Joe was the very apple Of her eye
The boy drew his sleeve across his face
while the visions of being detective
were entirely obscurcd by some trouble
some tears.
Come, old fellow" continued Tad
throwing his arm about his friends
neck. "you know you don't mean It.
Why, It would just about kill your folk
to have you 90 of this way; and thci
what would do, if you should rui
away?'
"l-gucss i - won't-go, after -
all. " said Joe, brokenly, and the de
termination cheered him wonderfully
In five minutes he was chuckling Owe
the incidents Of Edwards capture, an,
the conversation became general.
"But tell You, joe" Tad remarked
rs hc rose to his feet, "scems to m,
I've been getting considerable mort
my share of good things, for one day
five hundred and fifty dollars, an'
Aunt Rhoda into the bargain
'lt hasn't been such bad day al
round. when YOU come to think of il,
responded Joe, with his customur,
grin. There was Mr.. Athcrton 20
his sachel. Mis-. Mason her cloak an,
things, Cap'n and Mis- Flagg has 20
somethin' to talk about, Miss Smith 20
Mysteries, Mr.. Blossom got Edwards
Edwards got caught, and l." said Joe
as fine summing up, "got a ride-tc
D dollars from Mr.. Blossom for upsettini
a buggy-and jolly good lickin' 70
driyin' stabIe-team, when I'D bee
told not to-"
And Joe, with a lightcned heart an
a friendly nod, stole back TO the shcltc
Of the paternal roof. reaching hi
chamber in safety; while Tad sough
his own little room. where, with yer
full heart, he l,relt by his bedside an
, thanked the Good Father Of all mcrcic
for the wonderful way in which He ha
directed his boyish steps. Then Ia
undrcsscd and went to bed, just as IN
tall clock downstairs struck twelv,
and thus ended the day Of so man
wonderful events.
Thus. too, my simple story is yirtua
" endcd-with the future Of its charat
tiers have nothing now to do. At th
present time
Tad Thorne is an active, CROWN
boy. Of good principles and industriou
habits, a capital scholar, and a sourc
Of constant comfort and companionshi
! to
Miss Rhoda Smith, who seems 10 hay
grown ten years younger since tli
events of which ! have been writing
She has formally adopted Tad, aud
more proud Of him even than is
Captain Flagg, who looks upon hin
self-to use his own wOrds-as 18Th
insterment, under Providence, whic
was the means Of interducin' Tad {
his Aunt Rhody." He has, at III
earnest request Of his wife and adoptc
, daughter, abandoned his perilous cal
ing. and turned over the command 4
the coaster 10 EPiraim now Cap
Small.
Polly Flagg is growing mp into on
Of the incest girls | ever knew. Tbs
she has never been able to discover an
thing further ~ to her parcutag
gives her no uneasiness-in fact, sl
gives il little thought, being healthy
sensible young miss, with no romanii
fancics rs to mysterious birthrights
aud the like. She is trying TO live b
that in the fullness Of Gods tin
she shall meet her own angel mothe
who so long ago was laid under n
daisies which nod above the grco
mounds in BixpOrt church-yard. MeaI
while. her love for good Mrs. Flag
and the Captain grows even strong
as the days go on; while they. on tie